Batting

Pittsburg, Kan. - The Missouri Southern softball team made a pair of valiant comeback efforts this afternoon, but were unable to complete either one dropping a pair of Sonic Trophy Series games at Pittsburg State. Game one saw the Gorillas narrowly come out on top 10-9 while game two saw Pitt State win 11-7.

Both teams' offenses were on full display as the teams combined to score 37 runs and collect 51 hits. The Lions (14-28, 6-12 MIAA) accounted for 16 of those runs while collecting 27 hits. All nine position players for Southern had at least two hits as seniors Dawn Grass and Shelby Romines led the charge with four hits each. The duo each hit a home run and each drove in four runs apiece.

Game one saw the Gorillas (21-21, 7-11) jump out to an early 6-0 lead after two innings before the Lions got on the scoreboard in the third platting a pair as Alexah Replogle drove in two on a hit to second base. Pittsburg State added to their lead in the fourth pushing three more runs across, but Southern refused to bow out driving in five runs in the sixth to cut PSU's lead to 9-7.

After Kathryn Goins and Brooke Swadley started the inning with a pair of outs, Brooklyn Farrell reached base on an error by the Gorilla's third baseman. She came around to score on a single to left field by Michala Wood. After a Chloe Brown walk loaded the bases, Romines followed with a grand slam to center field, her fifth home run of the year.

The Gorillas added what turned to be a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as the Lions scored two runs in the seventh as Wood drove in a pair on a single through the right side. After Brown laid down a one-out bunt that moved Wood to second and Jessica Castoe to third, Romines grounded out to the second baseman to end the game. Kinnison pitched the complete game in game one pitching six innings striking out a pair.

Much like game one, the Gorillas jumped out to a 8-1 lead after two innings in game two, before platting another one in the third to take a 9-1 advantage. After a scoreless fourth, Southern again refused to go away easily as they were able to get to Pitt State starter Samantha Grove for three runs. Brown led off the inning with a single through the left side and was followed by a single from Romines putting a pair of runners on base for Grass, who lifted her sixth home run of the year to left field cutting the lead to 9-4.

Southern added two more runs in the sixth as Castoe scored on a throwing error by the Gorillas' catcher and then Farrell came around to score on a wild pitch to make it a 9-6 game. Pitt State platted two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 11-6 before the Lions attempted one final comeback effort loading the bases for Wood who hit into a one-out fielder's choice driving in Swadley from third, but Brown ended the with game with a popup to the third baseman. Sarah Williams started game two before being relieved by Kinnison who pitched the final 4.2 innings striking out three.

The Lions return to action at home on Friday hosting Fort Hays State (23-16, 12-8) at 4 p.m. at Lea Kungle Field.